Playing at Forever - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,24

breathing heavily, her heart hammering loudly in her chest. Tommy rested one of his hands on the tree, using the other to tuck her hair behind her ear once again.

“I missed this.”

“Me too,” she said, still breathless. She suddenly became very aware of how close he was.

Once more, she was taken back to the night he’d left. How brave she’d been. Bold.

“Do you ever think about the night you left?” she asked at last, her heart now pounding impossibly harder than just a few minutes before. His eyes shifted from hers, down to her lips. His hand cupped her face gently. Finally, he brought his eyes back to hers, his only response a subtle nod. “Which part?” she pressed.

“Depends on my mood.”

“Which part are you thinking of right now?”

Tommy edged closer to her, his eyes holding hers. He didn’t have to speak the words—she could see them written clearly in his eyes.

The anticipation in the air was almost tangible. Her body filled with longing, as if kissing Tommy Davidson was her one and only purpose in life.

And the moment their lips touched, the longing grew exponentially stronger.

It was exactly how she remembered it—no, it was better.

She felt her heart fluttering wildly in her chest as Tommy stepped closer, deepening the kiss. Her entire body was alive, feeling as if it had been laying dormant somewhere—untouched, forgotten. But now…

She couldn’t think. She didn’t want to. All she could do was feel.

It ended abruptly, as a car of young boys passed, honking their horn and yelling hoots of encouragement at the obviously more experienced male. Tommy stepped away, clearing his throat as he mumbled something about kids under his breath.

Penny agreed, if only to say something. She was trying to catch her breath, her entire body feeling flushed. “Walk me home?” she whispered, trying to keep the moment from becoming anymore awkward than it already was.

“You didn’t even have to ask.”

They remained quiet the whole way back, both lost to their own thoughts. It wasn’t until they reached Amy’s door that Tommy spoke again. “Well, thank you for a very…enjoyable evening.” He raised an eyebrow and Penny couldn’t help but giggle.

“Good night,” she told him, watching as he began to back away.

“Good night.”

“Wait! Your jacket—”

“Nah, you keep it. I think I could use a little cool air.” Penny giggled again, covering her mouth with her hand. “Remember to at least think about my little proposal, Penny Lane.”

And as Penny crawled into bed, she found, for once, she was able to fall asleep without any problems whatsoever.

She knew it was going to be a long day the moment she stepped through the door to find Kevin already there, waiting for her.

“Where the hell were you yesterday? I was calling you all day.”

“I decided to take the day off. Is that a problem?” Penny walked by her soon-to- be ex-husband, trying her hardest to remain steady. She had decided that, no matter what, she wasn’t going to let her emotions get the best of her. Not in front of Kevin, anyway.

“It would have been nice of you to call or something.”

“I’m sorry, but I wasn’t aware that I had to report to you.” She removed the leather jacket Tommy had lent her the night before and hung it on the back of the door. “Last I knew, we both owned this place. And I’m entitled to a day off here and there.”

“That’s not your jacket.”

“No, it isn’t,” she shrugged passed him, making her way toward the kitchen so that she could check on the cook and see if there was anything she would need to order.

“What the hell has gotten into you these last few days?” Penny stopped short, turning around to look at him, her expression incredulous.

“Maybe it has something to do with the way you’re forcing me to either give up my dream or go bankrupt trying to save it.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Just a thought.”

“Penelope—”

“I have work to do, since I’m pretty sure that neither you nor Gina even bothered to make an order yesterday. So I’d appreciate it if you’d give me just a little bit of space here.”

When Tommy showed up just before the restaurant opened, Penny could literally feel the relief wash over her. A smile danced on her lips as she hurried over to the door, opening it slowly. “Sir, we don’t open for another three minutes.”

“Really?” He looked at his watch for a moment, that million dollar smile already forming on his lips. “Think you